Sun Moon Lake

Meet your tour guide and driver at the hotel lobby, and then head for the heart of the island, Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the ever-changing scenery through the window during the 3-hour ride. Before reaching Sun Moon Lake, you will stop by Puli for a lunch break. Puli is blessed with pure and clean water, the high quality of water helps to develop a successful wine production business locally. You will visit Puli Winery before lunch (at your own expense). You will then depart for Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area. Sun Moon Lake is the biggest natural lake in Taiwan. The lake is divided by Lalu Island; the east side of the lake resembles the sun while the west side resembles the crescent moon, hence the name. The area around the lake is also the home to the Thao people, a group of Taiwan indigenous peoples. With a rich indigenous culture and abundant natural beauty, Sun Moon Lake has become one of the top-ranked destinations in Taiwan.

Yidashao Pier

Yidashao(Ita Thao), formerly named Te Hua village after the restoration of Taiwan. It has become the most populous area around the Sun Moon Lake. There are stores, restaurants, and hotels in the village. Also the Thao people establishes the "Thao Cultural Village" for tourists to appreciate the traditional culture, songs, and dancing of the Thao Tribe.

Xuanzhuang Temple

Monk Xuanzang was the Holy Monk in the Tang dynasty. In 1965, the Monk Xuanzang's remains were moved to the Xuanzang Temple after the temple was rebuilt. There is a bell in front of the main gate,called "wake up bell." If you prefer quiet atmosphere, Xuanzang temple is the best places for you.

Ci'en Pagoda

Ci-en Pagoda was built by Chiang Kai-Shek in memory of his mother in 1971. The Ci-en Pagoda is 46 meters in height and has become the famous landmark of Sun Moon Lake. Surrounding the tower are beautiful plants and trees and there are stone tables and chairs for visitors to take a rest.

Wenwu Temple

Wenwu Temple is located at the shoulder of mountain where is on the north of Sun Moon Lake. It was built in 1938.The temple is two (Longfeng Temple and Ihuatang) in one. It was rebuilt in 1969. Its gate is face to the north. People pray the Civil Saint of Confucius, the Military Saint of Guangong, and the Established God of two temples in the temple.

Xiangshan Visitor Center

The Xiangshang Visitor Center is both for tourism and administration use. The uniquely designed building has wood-patterned exteriors and wings that stretch like human arms embracing the earth. In addition, the two giant canopy structures, 34 meters long and 8 meters tall each, allow people to enjoy beautiful views of the Sun Moon Lake from the top.

Lukang

After breakfast, you will depart for Lukang, a historic old town that is famed for the well-preserved cultural and historical heritages. Lukang, literally “deer harbor”, was once a bustling port in the 17-18th century, where the import and export business made Taiwan’s most rich and powerful families. Now even though the port has lost its function due to sedimentation, but it has never lost its charm. Stroll through the town with red brick walls and floors, appreciate the historic relics such as the Nine Turns Alley, the Urn Wall, the Half-Sided Well, Longshan Temple, etc., you will find each of them has a story to tell. Lukang is also well-known for a variety of street foods and traditional Taiwanese desserts. You can fulfill your appetite and stock up on some gifts to bring a little taste of this charming old town back home and share with your friends and family!

Lugang Longshan Temple

Longshan Temple in Lukang was originally a small temple in Lukang. Later it was remodeled by local residents to be the current larger scale. The temple was beautifully designed. It is seated facing the west with the back to the east. The layout is square. The main building consists of four strata and three gardens. The format and design are inspired by Longshan Temple in Quanzhou (Chuanchow) of Taiwan.

Lugang Old Street

Lukang Old Street includes Yaolin Street and Putou Street. The historic site is perhaps the only place in Taiwan which best preserves the architecture stemming from as early as the Qing Dynasty. Previously a prosperous business center in the Qing Dynasty, the town’s streets feature buildings with a shop front and a back door facing the river for loading goods. Today, these traditional architectural pieces with brick walls, tiled roof as well as wooden door and windows are listed as a historic site. In addition to the main street, the winding brick streets and the narrow Osmanthus Lane are another area which had been filled with shops and households since early times. Now the area is occupied by folk art shops, nostalgic stores, teahouses, bookstores and painting stores, restaurants, local food vendors, and pastry stores, which are always packed with tourists on holidays. Walking on the streets, you will feel like being a part of a Qing drama.

Tianhou Temple

Lukang Tianhou Temple is the one of the three major historic sites in Lukang. It lies on Zhongshan Road, Lukang. In the Ching Dynasty, General Shi Lang built the first temple of Goddess of Sea in Taiwan. The statue in the alter was imported from Meizhou, China. There are over 1 million worshipers coming here every year. With the smoke of the incense, the statues face has turned black, so the Goddess is also called black-faced Goddess. After lunch (at your own expense), you will head back to Taipei and arrive in your hotel later in the afternoon. You can take a nap during the 3-hour ride. Before you reach Taipei, you will visit some rest stops on the way.